Viasat showcased direct-to-device (D2D) satellite connectivity in Uzbekistan, demonstrating satellite-enabled messaging on commercially available Android smartphones during the GSMA M360 Eurasia event in Samarkand. The company said the trial marked Uzbekistan’s first in-country demonstration of application-based satellite messaging using smartphones and 3GPP non-terrestrial network (NTN) standards.
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Viasat conducted the demonstration with the Ministry of Digital Technologies of the Republic of Uzbekistan, national broadband satellite provider, UZ-SAT, and telecom operator, Uztelecom.
During the showcase, two Android smartphones exchanged text and push-to-talk messages over Viasat’s L-band satellite network. One smartphone connected via satellite using a companion device, while the other operated on a terrestrial cellular network.
The demonstration reflects wider industry efforts to integrate satellite connectivity into consumer and enterprise devices through standardized NTN technologies, extending coverage beyond traditional cellular networks.
Viasat said its D2D approach uses the company’s existing mobile satellite services (MSS) spectrum and satellite infrastructure, enabling satellite connectivity alongside terrestrial cellular networks without relying on terrestrial spectrum.
Sandeep Moorthy, Senior Vice President, Advanced Non-Terrestrial Solutions at Viasat, said:
Countries emerging as technology leaders like the Republic of Uzbekistan are rightly excited about the potential for non-terrestrial networks. Through standards-based satellite connectivity, we can bring connectivity to millions more devices in areas currently underserved by cellular networks, with benefits for safety, sustainability, and efficiency.
Viasat has been expanding its NTN activities through mobile satellite demonstrations in multiple markets and partnerships focused on automotive and IoT connectivity.
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The company also recently announced plans to work with UAE-based Space42 to establish Equatys, a jointly owned entity focused on global D2D services and the evolution of existing MSS infrastructure toward a 5G network environment.
